Drama,Horror,Thriller
Denmark
Bleeder is a 1999 Danish film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. The film features two interconnected stories: the first follows Lenny (Mads Mikkelsen), a shy video store clerk who becomes infatuated with Lea (Liv Corfixen), a waitress at a local café. Despite his attempts to win her over, Lea is hesitant to get involved with Lenny due to his introverted nature and her own difficult past.
Meanwhile, the second story focuses on Leo (Kim Bodnia), a factory worker who is struggling to handle the pressures of impending fatherhood. Leo's pregnant wife, Louise (Rikke Louise Andersson), is excited about starting a family, but Leo is consumed by anxiety and self-doubt. Adding to his stress is Louise's protective older brother, Louis (Zlatko Buric), who believes that Leo is not good enough for his sister.
As the film unfolds, Lenny's attempts to impress Lea become increasingly aggressive and violent, while Leo's inability to cope with his emotions leads to a downward spiral of drugs and alcohol. The two stories eventually converge in a shocking and bloody climax, as both Lenny and Leo are forced to confront the consequences of their actions.
Bleeder is known for its gritty realism and intense performances, particularly from Mikkelsen and Bodnia. The film has been praised for its unflinching exploration of male insecurity and violence, as well as its commentary on class and social inequality in Copenhagen.
